MUNICH TREATY DEFENDED

Southland Times, Issue 23649, 26 October 1938, Page 5

MUNICH TREATY DEFENDED

FOREIGN SECRETARY’S BELIEF POPULAR REPUGNANCE AT IDEA OF WAR (British Official Wireless) (Received October 25, 6.30 p.m.) RUGBY, October 24. “I cannot doubt that the secure settlement by which war was averted in half the world was right,” declared the Foreign Secretary (Viscount Halifax), defending the Munich arrangements in a speech at Edinburgh. The world, he said, owed an incalculable debt of gratitude to the Prime Minister (Mr Neville Chamberlain) for his unflinching perseverance in the cause of peace and his refusal to accept defeat. Perhaps the most remarkable thing which emerged from the crisis was the unanimous revolt of the simple folk in all countries at the idea of war, Lord Halifax said, and it was under that impulse that the four Powers took common action to avoid war and laid, as they might surely hope, a foundation on which they might build better things. Analysing the Munich declaration, Lord Halifax said that there might be some disposed to under-rate its value, but if its spirit could be kept alive and sincerely made the basis on both sides of a mutual approach so that the German and British nations really succeeded in reaching an understanding, it would be the strongest guarantee possible against the dangers to which the world had been brought so close. What the world was now witnessing was revision of the Treaty of Versailles, for which a provision had been made in the League Covenant which had never till now been made effective.

Referring to the negotiations between the Czechoslovakian and Hungarian Governments, the Foreign Secretary said Britain hoped that they might reach an equitable solution which would remove or lessen racial grievances. POWER DIPLOMACY deferring to rearmament, Lord Halifax made the point that if Britain played its full part with others in securing peace it must speak with equal weight. It had obligations in all parts of the world which certainly did not diminish, and in taking the necessary precautions Britain did nothing, Lord Halifax insisted, with which others had a right to reproach her, because Britain did not do more than follow their example. No one could move about the country without realizing the wave of feeling in favour of the State making a. greater call upon the service of individuals which was powerfully affecting the minds of the people, the Foreign Secretary said. It was not for him to say what form the sacrifices the people were ready to make should take, but the Government would certainly wish to utilize to the full this spirit of service.

Defining the ideas on which the nation could unite, Lord Halifax said that the world Britain desired to see was one in which all nations could exist side by side, their just rights respected by ail and their differences resolved by free discussion—a world in which men, women and children could live decent lives, no longer haunted by the dread spectre of war. If they were ever to realize that state of affairs, Lord Halifax suggested, it was necessary to curb the tendency in certain quarters to interfere in the national affairs of other nations. It was not the British custom —and as long as others did not interfere in British affairs, there was no desire in Britain to adopt it. FINANCIAL SACRIFICES? The main course to the'desired goal, however, was clear. They must lose no opportunity to help forward the results of the personal contacts established by Mr Chamberlain with the heads of the Governments of Germany, Italy and France. In that there was no question of abandoning old friends in the search for new. “For some people the sacrifice will be of money, to provide the financial resources for what we need to do, said Lord Halifax. The Daily Mail in an editorial says: “Lord Halifax faced realities. General appeasement cannot be achieved by hurling abuse across the frontiers of Europe. Mr Chamberlain’s method is the only one—a direct approach. But meanwhile Britain must rearm in a world armed.” The Daily Telegraph praises Lord Halifax’s candour and appreciates his and the Government’s realization that the country must take all essential measures for safety. It emphasizes: “We are obliged to recognize that Britain is vulnerable as never before; her defences are no longer enough. We may have to consent to a new ordering of our social structure. The test of our fitness to face the new world will be our capacity to accept obligations hitherto spared, us. It, is for the Government to utilize the, indomitable spirit aroused in the nation; it is for the people to make the Government’s policy feasible and fruitful.”

SPEECH WELCOMED IN BERLIN POSITIVE BRITISH MOVE EXPECTED (Received October 26, 12.10 a.m.) BERLIN, October 25. Lord Halifax’s speech is well received, especially his statement that peace does not come by waiting, which is interpreted as meaning that Britain will shortly make some positive move for better Anglo-German relations. GROUP OF MINISTERS MEETS SPECULATION ON SUBJECTS OF DISCUSSION (Received October 25, 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, October 24. The political correspondent of The Daily Telegraph says it is thought that discussions between the Secretary for War (Mr L. Hore-Belisha) and the Prime Minister (Mr Neville Chamberlain) today were not entirely departmental but touched on Mr HoreBelisha’s position in relation to the crisis. The correspondent adds that there is speculation on the business discussed at the Ministers’ meeting at Downing Street today. The Ministers did not represent the departments normally combining; therefore it is assumed that they were acting as a special committee and would report to a full meeting of the Cabinet on Wednesday which will discuss defence shortcomings. The Ministers present. at today’s meeting included the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence (Sir Thomas Inskip), the Home Secretary (Sir Samuel Hoare), the Secretary for India (the Marquess of Zetland), the Secretary for the Colonies (Mr Malcolm MacDonald) and the Secretary for Scotland (Mr Walter Elliot). Mr Chamberlain also received in-

dividual calls from Mr Hore-Belisha, Mr Elliot and the Secretary for Air (Sir Kingsley Wood) on departmental matters.